Arakawa Matsuri

Last Saturday (6th June) I had the chance to join the local matsuri (祭り, festival) celebrating err..... well actually 天王祭 I think. Roughly translate is to celebrate the King? Whether it is referring to the current Emperor Akihito or previous emperors, or deities, I had no idea.
Anyway, this is just a small one for the local community, not as large as those full-scale ones that normally the TV shows.

We gathered at the local park which is just located behind the hostel to prepare for the matsuri.



Mikoshi 神輿 (portable shrine for matsuri) is the object that we would be carrying in order to proceed with the so-called matsuri.






Me, getting ready to join the fun!
The festival clothing was being loaned from the organisation which runs the matsuri.


Hostelmates.



Some shots of the mikoshi before carrying it.





Up and here we go!


Carrying the mikoshi...



Was being scolded by people behind me that I slack off carrying the mikoshi while they bear all the weight at behind. Sorry guys, for the sake of blogging, it can't be helped. :P

After carrying the mikoshi, chanting and swaying for awhile, we stopped and rested for awhile. Free drinks are provided.
Was being given a can of Asahi beer and another cider. Anyhow I prefer the cider to the beer though.



Golden phoenix... err... chicken?


Second journey starts. Shots from different angles.




Making a turn into the narrow street.



Golden chicken, or maybe phoenix standing high up.


Continue carrying, chanting and walking....





This person's festive clothing is different than our normal ones, kinda cool but I can't read what is it. :S


The big fan to keep some of us cool.


Almost there, near the front of our hostel.


Group pic of the ABK students!


ABK Yamabuki hostelmates.


Back to the mikoshi. The mini shrine.


The golden chicken or phoenix standing at it's full glory lol.


The locals demonstrate to us how it actually works.





The housewives join in.




Our turn to join the locals. Asked my friend to use my camera since her's ran out of battery. *ahem* Sony < Canon in terms of camera. *ahem*





I LOL'd.


Positioning ourselves to place the mikoshi down.





The rewards, some traditional method-cooked rice, and a free pass for the local public bath which only valids on that particular weekend (first weekend of June).


It's hard to describe the process by just words and pictures. Here's a short video to roughly give you the idea how it works.

(alternate video link)

Joining this matsuri is really a different kind of experience for me, a good way to get closer with the locals, as we normally wouldn't interact with them much as we're just busy with our business with the school (study).

Will be looking forward to join another kind of matsuri if I had the chance!! :D


BONUS!!

Some miscellaneous pics which I find interesting.

Police & cat. What kind of relationship is this? LOL....


Super kawaii little girl in kimono.





Life in Japan continues...... :)